Just taken my dainese leather out for a quick dust down and its looking a bit sorry for itself (not as sorry as all the flies stuck to it mind). Can i dry clean it? I looked on the label but it all seems to be in Italian. Please dont tell me my only option is elbow grease. TIA
There used to be a company called ‘Scrubbers’ where that cleaned leathers, not sure if they are still going?
No, not a mistake, I remember them too but had to check to see. FB was useless but the internet link led to a page that gave the information. Pretty sure now, we’ve been here before …… in 2022 Andy
Get a bar of saddle soap available online everywhere. Rub some onto a wet foam pad. Then rub your leathers until the white foam appears. Repeat until every square cm is cleaned. There are many Youtube vids you can watch to get a better idea of this process. Finish once dry the next day with Leather reconditioner, ideally one which contains a waterproofing agent. PS One bar of saddle soap will probably last a lifetime so no need to buy a pack of six...
I use Gyeon tar and bug remover mixed with 50% water on a microfibre cloth, and just leave it on the fly infested jacket for a few minutes. Then they all just wipe off. After that, I’ll use a good quality leather cleaner/ protector to bring it back to as new condition.
There is a guy in Colchester that cleans leathers, he can also do minor repairs and re-colouring. Company is called Drop Your Gear, his facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/dropyourgear/ Did a really good job on an old neglected AStars jacket I've got.
I use the BKS kit as a trial pack was included with a suit I got from them. I've carried on using it over the years and the suit comes up like new after each clean. The suit is at least 12 years old now if not more (yeah I've managed to keep away from the pies!) so it appears to be decent stuff.
saddle soap - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gold-Label-Saddle-Soap-100g/dp/B00D1X98TM Leather food - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dubbin-Leatherfood-Nourishment-protection-leather/dp/B003NVNBV8 Ive used these for 30yrs or so. All my leather look as new.
I read that, allegedly, saddle soap is corrosive to motorcycle leathers because they’re chrome tanned: https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesoci...enance/how-to-care-for-motorcycle-leather-kit However, I find it hard to tell the science from the myths regarding leather care.
I was unaware of that, however Ive seen no evidence of such on any of my leathers. Despite crashing in leathers Ive cleaned using the soap several times. But if true, then ignore above. I will still use it as its great stuff and i have half a pot left. It lasts for ages (yrs).
Best thing I’ve ever found for removing flies and dirt are baby wipes, they don’t leave the leather wet either. Once dry, finish with a good leather restorer.
Wet some kitchen tissue/old tea towel/cloth and rest it on the fly splattered zones. Once they’re rehydrated (min 20 mins, or so), the carcasses will just wipe off. Then proceed with your favourite advice from any of the above.
